Schuette Metals welding instructor Tony Schmidt supervises Wausau West High School students using a welding simulator Jan. 3 at the school.

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Fifteen-year-old Jack Stacker never really thought about welding as a career until he found out that he is quite good at it.

Stacker was one of more than 400 students to compete in what could have been called The Wausau Area's Best High School Welder Contest, organized by Schuette Metals, a metal fabrication company in Rothschild. The contest was held during January and February, and was designed to raise awareness about careers in the manufacturing industry among area high school students.

Finding high-quality welders is challenging now, said Tony Schmidt, director of education and a ...